For targeted assistance and support to schools and school districts at risk of or determined to be underperforming or chronically underperforming under
sections 1J and 1K of chapter 69 of the General Laws, including schools and school districts that have been identified as in need of "focused support/targeted support" or "broad/comprehensive support" within the commonwealth's framework for accountability and assistance under departmental regulations and guidelines; provided, that no funds shall be expended in any school or district that fails to file a comprehensive school or district plan under
section 1I of said chapter 69; provided further, that the department shall only approve reform plans with proven, replicable results in improving student performance, using research--based effective practices for turnaround to build multi--tiered systems of support; provided further, that the department shall only prioritize funding for turnaround efforts which are based on the turnaround practices identified by the department as key focus areas for successful school turnaround including, but not limited to: (i) leadership, shared responsibility and professional collaboration; (ii) intentional practices for improving student instruction; (iii) student--specific supports and instruction provided to all students; and (iv) school climate and culture that provide a safe, orderly and respectful environment for students and families; provided further, that in carrying out this item, the department may contract with school support specialists, turnaround partners and such other external assistance as necessary in the expert opinion of the commissioner of elementary and secondary education to successfully turn around failing school and district performance; provided further, that no funds shall be expended on targeted assistance unless the department has approved, as part of the comprehensive district improvement plan, a professional development plan that addresses the needs of the district as determined by the department; provided further, that grants made under this item shall be awarded in coordination with the department of early education and care and the department of higher education; provided further, that funds shall be available for the establishment of a new school leadership initiative through cohort--based training and coaching; provided further, that funds may be expended for the purchase of instructional materials under
section 57 of chapter 15 of the General Laws; provided further, that no funds shall be expended on instructional materials except where the purchase of such materials is part of a comprehensive plan to align the school or district curriculum with the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks; provided further, that preference in distributing funds shall be given to proposals that coordinate reform efforts within all schools in a district in order to prevent conflicts between multiple reforms and interventions among the schools, and which demonstrate innovative approaches that have improved student performance including, but not limited to, partnerships between community--based organizations and school districts; provided further, that not later than January 15, 2027, the department shall submit a report to the executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on education describing and analyzing all targeted assistance efforts funded by this item; provided further, that no funds shall be expended on recurring school or school district expenditures unless the department and school district have developed a long--term plan to fund such expenditures from the district's operational budget; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the recruitment and training of educators offered by Teach for America Massachusetts to expand the teacher corps to address teacher vacancies in high need public schools and to close achievement gaps; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the Gravel Pit Academy Foundation for the expansion of equitable access to high--quality athletic development and educational support for underserved youth across the south shore; provided further, that funds may be expended for programs or activities during the summer months; and provided further, that any funds distributed from this item to a city, town or regional school district shall be deposited with the treasurer of such city, town or regional school district and held in a separate account and shall be expended by the school committee of such city, town or regional school district without further appropriation, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary
